Redefining Mindedness: Consciousness Without A Brain
Scholarly Review Journal January 15, 2026 Jessie Gao
This paper challenges the anthropocentric conception of phenomenal consciousness, arguing that its potential manifestations extend beyond the human brain to encompass certain animals, plants, and future artificial systems. Drawing on evidence from comparative cognition, plant neurobiology, and neuromorphic computing, the essay posits that consciousness is best understood as a functional...